Book Review: Black Cat Volume 12: The New Weapon

Review:  #138
Title:  Black Cat Volume 12:  The New Weapon
Series:  Black Cat - 12th volume
Author:  Kentaro Yabuki
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  The quality of these latter volumes has really stepped up a notch, I loved this volume.  Train also gets to change back to his normal self, being a kid was okay for a few chapters, but any more and it will start to get boring and what was awesome was that he gets some special powers from this incident.  Loved the ideas, although the monkey that could take the form and memory of someone was a bit weird but still acceptable.  The test by Sephiria for Kyoko uses an old idea, so I knew what to expect, no surprises there.  The style of drawing is also becoming way more solid and more pleasing to the eye.  One of the best volumes so far, I liked it from start to finish.
Rating:  7.5/10

Toy Review: Transformers Animated Samurai Prowl

Review:  #64
Name:  Samurai Prowl
Brand:  Transformers
Allegiance:  Autobot
Line:  Animated
Year of Release:  2009
Size Class:  Deluxe (Wave 6)
Variations:  a retool from the original deluxe Prowl

BIKE MODE:

I'll start with the basic bike mode first.  Prowl transforms into a stylised motorcycle, however, the proportions are more realistic than other Animated toys, and it is a very very well formed bike.  There are many subtle mode changes here in the retool, from the sharper front mudguard, smaller side cowlings and the change to translucent blue plastic.  Not all of it are positive though, the change of the police lights from red and blue to just baby blue really hurts.

Prowl has a flip down kickstand to let this two-wheeled vehicle stand on display.  Simply put, this is an amazing motorcycle, there are no robot kibble anywhere, which is a testament to how great the engineering is.  However, due to the small side cowlings, you can see the hip pieces when viewing directly from the side.  Obviously both wheels roll, and there's a lot less paint this time around.

There's some nice details such as the molded gas cap, and odometer type molded details behind the windshield.  Neither are painted so they're hard to pick out unless you're really looking for it.

BIKE MODE (WITH SIDECAR):

Obviously, the main attraction here is the sidecar (that transforms into armor for the robot mode).  There are two pegs on the sidecar that corresponds to two slots on the main bike.  However, I find that only one of those slots on mine can peg it, doesn't affect anything though.

The sidecar also rolls, but not very well.  Why?  Because only the outer half of the wheel rolls, the inner half houses the sword and is a fixed piece.  The sidecar looks like a natural extensive of the bike itself, with a matching colour scheme and sharp angles.

However, the sidecar is a bit hollow, literately.  Since Samurai Prowl is still sold as a deluxe, I guess they couldn't afford more plastic than what they have here, especially with the additional paint applications.  It's a bit disappointing and feels half baked at times (but still an awesome extension).

I don't know if it is just me but the front of the sidecar feels like it's too far off the ground, so it's best to look at Prowl from an angle.

There's also a weak attempt at a seat of the sidecar, it doesn't really work, due to the hollowness.

Prowl as a bike on his own is a bit too small and thin for a Deluxe (in my opinion), now with the sidecar, it bulks it up.

It's a really nice bike mode in the end, and if you don't like the sidecar, you can leave it off.  Great paint scheme and great proportions makes this mode a winner.

TRANSFORMATION (TO ROBOT MODE):

Prowl is a partsformers (what else can you expect when the sidecar was designed around an existing toy?), so the sidecar and base robot transforms separately.  I have no problems with this, since I love Transformers with 'super armor'.  The transformation to robot mode is ingenious, especially with how the wheels are dealt with.  It is amazing and very innovative.  However, due to the retool, getting back to bike mode is much more frustrating and more of a pain than the original version (this is due to the thigh swivels being added).  Prowl relies a lot on balljoints, and these will wear out over time.  Getting the feet back into position in the motorcycle is a mess, and more than likely you'll give up.  The transformation into robot mode though, feels very natural, and this is probably the best ever bike transformation ever.

ROBOT MODE:

Apparently, according to TFwiki, 80% of the robot mode is retooled or recoloured, which is pretty impressive (it's pretty much creating a whole new toy).  The robot mode is amazing in how it uses the motorcycle elements, and I think we can all agree that the use of the wheels as his shins is pretty ingenious

Not all of the retool was positive though, since there is a noticeable reduction of size for his head, making it out of proportion (a 'pinhead' if you prefer).  The lack of paint is also more apparent here, but black works for Prowl (you can say he's more ninja like...).

He's pretty thin though, emphasized through his skinny limbs and proportions that is the norm for Animated.  Sadly, they took away the ninja stars, you can still pull them out (with some force) but they don't open.

The completely is a completely different sculpt, as mentioned, it is smaller than the old one, but it does add in  light piping... of sorts.  The eye visor is made of translucent blue so it does look good.

The cowlings on his back can also be pulled up for further screen accuracy (although the purpose of this is to put on the samurai armor).  Prowl can be a bit hard to stand due to the curve of his feet, and lack of heelspurs.

Poseability is excellent, he's loaded with ball joints and swivels.  A pretty good robot mode with some minor flaws.

TRANSFORMATION (SIDECAR ARMOR):

The sidecar is very simple to convert into the samarai armor that Prowl wears.  You basically detach the wheel shield/sword, and unfold everything, then just clip it onto Prowl's back.  It's simple, it's effective and it works (very well).  The wheel sword/shield can attach to either arm, and you wrap the armor around Prowl's limbs.  They are all on balljoints so it's really easy to manipulate, for an accessory (of sorts), this is well engineered.

ROBOT MODE (WITH SAMURAI ARMOR):

Now, the star of this figure, the sidecar samurai armor as seen in the episode A Fistful of Energon.  It was cool in the show, and it is cool here.  The execution is good, but does leave some to be desired.  The armor bulks up Prowl A LOT.  However, donning the armor makes him even harder to balance.

The armor pretty much wraps around Prowl.  There are good and bad points of this, the good:  there aren't too many pieces to lose and the sidecar is more stable; the bad:  Prowl loses a lot of poseability.

From all angles, Prowl looks beefed up and much more powerful.  He does lose the nimbly look, he's more brute strength here now.

Unlike the promotional pictures and in the show, the wheel shield/sword does not split into two, and it's such a shame.  The singular wheel looks too thick and big for only one hand, and this thickness overwhelms the small sword.

I forgot to mention earlier that you can still switch the light bars at the bottom of each arm forward just like the original toy.  They're smaller, so they won't look as good.

The helmet is attached to an 'arm' via a balljoint, and just rests on top of Prowl's head.  It looks pretty good though, but this restricts head motion to pretty much nil.

When viewing the helmet from the side, it doesn't look as great, with the visor jutting out so much and unnaturally.  Shoulder motion is also blocked by the shoulder armor.  It should be noted that all the placement of parts is due to personal preference, since they sit on balljoints and have a million ways of placement.

This sentence from the TFwiki site pretty much sums the samurai mode of Prowl pretty nicely:  "Prowl loses a lot of his original maneuverability when you put his Samurai armor on, and also becomes a little more tricky to balance, but that's the price you pay for the ability to blind your enemies with overexposure to pure awesomeness and blue translucent plastic."  In other words, he is so awesome in this mode that he's worth the negatives the armor has put on him.

OVERALL:

I love this toy, other people may think he is inferior to his original version, and in a way, yes.  However, the compromises you'd have to take in order to accommodate this armor and I'll gladly take them.  The sidecar adds a ton of playability and makes Prowl look so much better.  You get four separate modes out of one figure, that is a pretty good effort, and what's more, it's still priced as a deluxe.  Highly recommended, especially if you haven't got the original version yet.

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Book Review: Black Cat Volume 11: The Promise

Review:  #137
Title:  Black Cat Volume 11:  The Promise
Series:  Black Cat - 11th volume
Author:  Kentaro Yabuki
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  Wow, I’m finally getting into this manga, and I feel addicted to it.  This volume focuses on Kyoko, and the story is just awesome.  I like how she defects from Apostles of the Stars, and Charden is a really cool character as well, and the way he shows his care for Kyoko is nice.  There’s the introduction of two more Chrono Numbers, IV and VIII, and they are the least likeable Numbers yet, and their weapons doesn't seem to be as ‘cool’ as the other ones.  I still feel Eve is a bit useless in terms of the battles here, but it’s a little improvement compared to the past.  Honestly, it’s a great volume (I’m kinda biased as Kyoko is one of my favourite characters), and you would hope so as it’s just over half the series at this point.
Rating:  7.5/10

Book Review: Black Cat Volume 9: Showdown at the Old Castle

Review:  #136
Title:  Black Cat Volume 9:  Showdown at the Old Castle
Series:  Black Cat -9th Volume
Author:  Kentaro Yabuki
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  Yup, it was an excellent excellent volume; I’m finally starting to feel absorbed into the story.  The whole volume continues on from the story arc in Volume 8, in which the Chrono Numbers Cereberus fights Apostles of the Stars (seriously, that is an awesome name…).  The fighting was intense, and I like things were slowly revealed, I’m starting to really like the character Jenos (or Number VII), and I like the melee fighting skills the Numbers use, it makes things more interesting than just the Tao methods the antagonists use (some of which feels a bit cheat-sey).  Creed is still a weird character, and pretty freaky, can't really guess his motive and he’s fairly unpredictable.  Eve still feels like a tagged on character who doesn't guess much of a role, a nice volume in general.
Rating:  7.5/10

Toy Review: Transformers ROTF RA-24 Buster Optimus Prime

Review:  #63
Name:  Buster Optimus Prime
Brand:  Transformers
Allegiance:  Autobot
Line:  Revenge of the Fallen (Japanese Exclusive)
Year of Release:  2009
Size Class:  Leader
Variations:  repainted from the original ROTF Leader Optimus Prime, there is another 'Buster' variant with the faceplate that was sold in a two pack with Jetfire

TRUCK MODE:

Okay, first thing's first, this is going to be a long review.  I am going to just put all 39 photos into this review instead of just splitting the photos into an extra post.  Anyway, Optimus Prime here transforms into a truck that is based off, and is very accurate, to the on screen model seen in the movie, and sporting a considerably better paint job that the normal version.

This mold is hands down the best at nailing the truck mode of Optimus Prime.  There are many many sculpted details (as expected of a leader classed toy), and the paint job brings them all out.  Speaking of the paint job, it is excellent, and goes above and beyond what you would expect.  I am not kidding or exaggerating here, it is unbelievable at some of the attention to detail.

Obviously, Optimus can roll, but not very well due to how the rear wheels are locked on vehicle mode.  Most likely, the middle set will untab.  He features only one gimmick in this mode, and that's the obligatory electronic gimmick.  Pressing a well hidden button on the back of the cab will reveal engine notices, that goes on as long as the button is pressed.

In addition to the awesome paint job, he sports something that's fairly rare in Transformers figures nowadays, chrome.  He has chrome on his grill which looks excellent and very suitable.  The tiny Autobot symbol on the hood has it's outlines painted in red.  Optimus sports clear headlights and tail lights.

The sun visors are also chromed.  Ruining the realism a little bit however, is the visible gears behind the clear transparent windows, they stick out a lot.

Since there are some mold changes from the original mode concerning his fuel tanks, the left one has major transformation seams that are even more obvious when painted in silver.

There are so many tiny subtle changes to the paint job that increases the screen accuracy, from white outlines to the flames, to the expanded flames.  The plastic used is also very nice, with the blue sporting a sparkly appearance.  This vehicle looks like one that you would proudly display on a shelf.

The smokestacks are made of soft plastic so they will warp, and being soft plastic, they are not painted.  This sticks out a lot, being such a dull grey against the metallic paint job.

Just one more tiny flaw with the mold, if you look at him from the right angles, there'll be gaps in the cab, nothing much, but it's there.  On the other hand, the rear of the truck is well detailed (usually this is something that's neglected on figures).

And now begins some comparisons with the normal release version (well... I'm using the Jetwing version which is close enough).  Just one look, and you can tell that Buster Optimus is far far superior in terms of looks.  The chrome makes a huge difference.

As mentioned, and it's more noticeable when you have him in hand, the paint used has more of a metallic sheen to it.

However, the downside of all this extra paint means it much much easier to scratch and chip it, especially when transforming.  Not to mention that it'll stick out like a sore thumb.

Optimus is a good size, and what you would expect of a Leader class, they didn't skimp on the size this time.

As you can tell by now, Buster Optimus Prime has a near perfect vehicle mode, and honestly, you'd be hard pressed to find another Transformers figure that'll be as well painted as this one.

TRANSFORMATION:

First time you'll transform this guy, you'll be annoyed out of your mind.  It's made even worse when you're forced to go from robot mode into vehicle mode (usually the harder way, and it's true here).  It was mentioned somewhere that Optimus is a shellformer, and it's very true here.  The only thing from the truck that's integrated into the robot is the windshield, and that's a very small part.  However, this is more the fault of the CG design not being accommodating enough.  As such, there are a lot of panels that collapse, and it is an impressive transformation.  It's very complex, and even with instructions it's hard to figure out at times.  When going back into truck mode, getting all the pieces to peg and clip together can be a real pain, especially the abdomen pieces (getting them of is very annoying too, as they seem to be wedged tight into their slots).  Probably while transforming him, you'll get the sound chip activating, and you'll get sick of "I am Optimus Prime" real fast.  A transformation sound activates when you clip or unclip the waist.  Doing it a few times though, will make this one a lot easier, but it'll still take you a few minutes.

ROBOT MODE:

First off, the 'normal' version of Optimus Prime (that is, the ROTF version) is brilliant, now, with all the paint in the nooks and crannies, Buster Optimus Prime is AMAZING.  I cannot believe some of the bits they bothered painting, which seemed so minor and insignificant, it's these small touches that make him so cool.  I mean, hell, they even bothered to paint the tiny Autobot symbol in his chest red!

That's not even getting to the sculpt.  When Optimus Prime was released, he was, and still is, the most accurate Optimus Prime toy that's transformable.  They followed the design very faithfully (and hence the complicated transformation scheme to get here).  Only standout is the two overlapping wheels on each thigh, it'll be cool if that could be fixed but ah well.

The aforementioned Autobot logo, and with the abdomen switch down.  Pressing upon this switch will 'flex' his chest (supposed to be Mech Alive but it's so so) and Optimus will say (in Peter Cullen's voice, which is a nice bonus) "I am Optimus Prime".  Trust me when I say this though, after transforming him, you'll probably don't want to hear that phrase again.

However, due to the electronics, he is top heavy, and his backpack juts out.  I have no doubt that if there were no electronics here, the designers would have been able to make Optimus even more streamlined.  As it is, it's not even that big of a problem, but Optimus would be more stable with heelspurs (especially if you have the batteries in).

And now, to some of the details worth mentioning...  The first is his legs, that inner piece is completely painted, and very detailed I might say.  And that little blue piece behind his leg?  You can even pull that out slightly to emulate the design better, so many little elements here and there that you can so easily miss.

Next is his head sculpt, sadly, it's his face without the face plate.  Now I know that most of the time in the movie Optimus didn't have his face plate on, but he just doesn't seem right without it, I guess it's an Optimus Prime thing.  Anyway, like the rest of the figure, it's brilliantly painted, I mean, they even painted this little strip of blue on his nose!!!  This really brings out the details, but the eyes are a bit dark (due to how they flash when the electronics are activated).

Okay, just some obligatory mentions about some stuff, Optimus is completely doused in silver, the only non-painted grey bits are the pieces attached to the wheels and some bits on his waist, but I don't think they're paintable plastic anyway.  The chrome grill is now on the bottom of his feet, so that might pose some problems in terms of scratching the chrome.

Now it's time to mention the second gimmick, and this one is pretty cool.  On each forearm is a grey switch, pressing on it will unlatch a sword and cause it swing out.

The sword is also much much better than the standard version, instead of a disgusting solid rust red colour, it's a beautiful (albeit a bit too light) ember with silver detailing just like in the movie.  This causes it to look so much better, and make it seem like the energy sword that it is supposed to be.

One negative is that the locks holding the sword into place isn't very strong, so the sword springs out very very easily when you least want it to (like... while transforming him), other than that, they severely restrict arm articulation when retracted.

Just like in the second movie, Optimus has both swords, one on each hand, which makes for some great dual sword posing.

And since we're in the topic of posing, Optimus has good articulation.  The head is restricted due to the electronics, and the arms when the swords are retracted but otherwise, very good.  The ankles are balljointed (which is a rarity for figures as large as this), and he lacks a waist joint.  However, good luck trying to balance him in dynamic poses.

Now that we're done with the swords, the other gimmick Optimus has (and it's exclusive to this version) is that you can detach the tanks from Optimus's back, doing some shifting around, connect them together and bam!  You get Optimus's ion cannon (or buster cannon, whatever).  It's a good looking gun.

Taking the tanks out also frees up some of the kibble on his backpack, making it look just a tad bit cleaner.

The gun can go onto either hand, but the right is preferred due to how the kibble on the gun gets blocked on the left hand.  It's a good thing that the wrists can rotate, and so it looks like Optimus's hand has morphed into the gun.  I wished we could have two just like in the second movie but it isn't to be...

Actually, getting the tank that forms the handle can be kind of confusing, that not even the instructions are much help (I actually got confused by them...), since the twisting was kinda unorthodox (at least on one bit). Sometimes, Optimus can't grip the gun very securely.

Also, at certain angles, it doesn't look so great, thankfully, that's not much of a problem.

Obviously, you can't deploy the blade on the same hand while holding the gun, well you can, but it'll look weird and you're more than likely going to scratch the paint.

Bear with me, the review's nearly over...  Anyway, it's time for some comparison shots with the normal version.  Again the silver makes a huge difference, giving Optimus a more robotic look.  He's not as dull looking, and there's not colour mismatching (the red on his feet on the normal version really bugs me).

No matter from which angle you look, there is a difference in the amount of paint applications.  If he was good in vehicle mode, he's even better in robot mode, where the designers have focused much more upon on.  They have highlighted designs that even I wasn't aware of in the movie design (not that you could tell from all the confusion in the movie).

So if you get a choice between this version or any other version of Optimus (including all the remolds from DOTM), you should still go for this one.

Once again, he is a good size for a leader classed figure, towering (disproportionately at times) over voyager classed figures.

And here's a comparison with the voyager classed Optimus...

As you can probably tell, the robot mode is striking with the sheer amount of detail you can pick out.  What's more, you'd probably find more things that you didn't notice before, a brilliant robot mode.

OVERALL:

This is it, the definitive Optimus Prime from the movie trilogy.  I don't care if he has a different (unnecessary) design in DOTM, this is simply the best Optimus Prime figure you can get in mass retail.  From the vehicle mode to the robot mode, both in terms of sculpting and paint, no other figure has surpassed him.  Highly recommend if you can get it, however, he's not exactly the cheapest piece you can find especially now that secondary prices have skyrocketed, but if you have the means, get him (maybe even the Optimus/Jetfire 2pk which was just rereleased in DOTM packaging).

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